March 10, 1998
TO: Works and Utilities Committee
FROM: M.A. Price
Interim Functional Lead - Solid Waste Management
SUBJECT: Toronto Environmental Alliance=s AUse It, Reuse It@ Book
Purpose:
To respond to the letter from the Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) requesting that we print 100,000 copies of the booklet AUse It, Reuse It@ at a cost of approximately $64,000.00 (not including PST and GST).
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
A quote by our Document Reproduction and Distribution Services indicates that printing 100,000 copies of the TEA booklet would cost approximately $61,500.00. With taxes, the price would be approximately $70,700.00. Of this required amount, $20,000.00 has been allocated in the proposed 1998 Operating Budget, leaving $50,700.00 that would have to be reallocated from other projects.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that expenditure of $20,000.00 be approved for printing of the AUse It, Reuse It@ booklet as provided for in the proposed Works and Emergency Services Operating Budget submission.
Council Reference/Background/History:
On February 9, 1998, Toronto Environmental Alliance sent a letter to the Works and Utilities Committee requesting that Toronto print an additional 100,000 copies of its AUse It, Reuse It@ guide to reuse, repair and rental establishments. The Committee referred the communication to the Interim Functional Lead for Solid Waste Management Afor consideration with the operating budget, with a request that a report be submitted to the Committee on the responses received as a result of the guide by those companies listed therein@.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The Works and Emergency Services Department supports the production and distribution of this booklet. It benefits the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) by keeping materials out of the waste stream. In 1997, the department made substantial contributions to the production and printing of this booklet. Metro Toronto contributed $22,369.00; Toronto, Scarborough and Etobicoke each contributed $5,000.00; and North York and York each contributed $2,000.00 for a total of $41,369.00.
Despite the department=s support, however, in our experience, 100,000 copies of this booklet is too many to print at one time. The booklet contains the names, addresses and lists of materials to be reused, rented or repaired at more than 1,000 Toronto businesses. This information is extremely time-sensitive and changes constantly. It is unlikely that 100,000 copies of this booklet could be effectively distributed before the information became outdated. If people receive a booklet with out-of-date information, it will generate complaints and they will cease to use it. We acknowledge that the booklet could be distributed free at a variety of venues but caution that it is important that the booklet end up in the hands of people who genuinely want it and will use it.
Several years ago, the former Metro Works Department printed more than 100,000 copies of its booklet ABeyond the Blue Box@. This booklet had been more popular with residents (50,000 copies distributed in three months) than AUse It, Reuse It@ (20,000 copies in two months). However, the department subsequently had difficulty distributing such a large quantity in a timely manner so that the booklet=s information was still up-to-date. We believe the same situation could occur with this printing.
The department=s proposed operating budget submission provided for $20,000.00 for re-printing the TEA booklet. Printing of 100,000 copies at a cost of approximately $70,700.00 would divert $50,700.00 from other worthwhile print projects. The printing budget covers such items as AWaste Watch@, recycling reminder cards, collection calendars, apartment and commercial recycling information, composting public education materials, grasscycling information and public consultation materials. Reallocating $50,700.00 from these other programs could compromise their effectiveness.
Regarding the budget, as stated above, $20,000.00 was allocated for reprinting this booklet. This amount would produce approximately 20,000 booklets. This quantity is more in keeping with what could reasonably be disseminated over the next several months including effective free distribution. Once these booklets were distributed, we would have the opportunity to review and update the information, and determine the demand before printing additional copies (should the budget allow this). Depending on demand, an appropriate budget either greater or lesser than $20,000.00 would then be provided in the 1999 budget submission.
With respect to the booklet=s effectiveness, it is probably too early to judge. Staff contacted 50 businesses listed in the guide at random and the majority reported no noticeable increase in business. However, most of the booklets have only been distributed since November and December and it will take more time for identifiable results.
Conclusion:
For the reasons outlined above, it is recommended that the Works and Emergency Services Department spend the $20,000.00 already allocated to print approximately 20,000 copies of AUse It, Reuse It@ rather than spending $70,700.00 as requested by Toronto Environmental Alliance. Information and demand could then be reviewed before printing additional copies, budget permitting.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Nicole Dufort, Manager
Environmental Promotion and Consultation - Management and Technical Services
Phone: (416) 392-2963
Fax: (416) 392-2974
E-Mail: nicole_dufort@metrodesk.metrotor.on.ca
M. Price, P. Eng.
Interim Functional Lead
Solid Waste Management
B.H. Gutteridge
